Consultancy, The Asia Foundation, Closing 19 Feb 2016

Job Advertisement – Consultancy

Expression of interest: Project Management of development of Certificate III and IV training programs in Community Services

The Asia Foundation’s Nabilan program is currently supporting the development of national qualifications in community services at the Certificate III and Certificate IV level through the TVET system in Timor-Leste. The aim is to strengthen the quality of service delivery within the sector and to work with relevant CSOs, government ministries and stakeholders to provide quality, contextual and practical training for people currently working in the sector, and those who wish to work in the sector.

This terms of reference seeks a qualified and experienced Contractor to support the development of curriculum, identification of trainers, supervisors and mentors, and implementation of a pilot phase of training, with support from the Nabilan program. The Contractor would be responsible for selecting, sub-contracting and managing a team to deliver on the contract.

BACKGROUND

The Asia Foundation (the Foundation) is implementing an Ending Violence Against Women (EVAW) Program (called “Nabilan”) in Timor-Leste under a Grant Agreement with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Nabilan (EVAW) Program goal is to reduce the proportion of women who have experienced violence, and to better meet the needs of women and children affected by violence. The objective is to improve outcomes for women in prevention, supports, and access to justice by improving capacity in key ministries, reducing levels of violence, improving services, and strengthening judicial processes serving the needs of women survivors of violence.

The program’s primary counterpart is the Ministry of Social Solidary (MSS), which is the lead agency for addressing VAW including in its role as coordinator of the Rede Referal (Referral Network) at district level, manager of key staff responsible for receiving cases of violence against women and children, as a funder to service providers and in its responsibility to create standards for services. The program is providing grants to civil society organisation (CSO) service providers, and institutional strengthening support to the Directorate of National Social Development (DNDS) within MSS. The focus is on improving the quality and expanding the reach of existing services.

ACTIVITY

Background to the process

The goal of training delivered will be to improve the quality and reach of services provided to women and children, as well as communities more broadly. This Contractor will enable Nabilan Program to meet its goals in terms of providing competence based, professional training to staff of CSOs and MSS. This activity contributes to the End of Program Outcome: “More women and children are being assisted by comprehensive, quality, CSO and government referral services…”. The Contractorwill manage a team of curriculum writers, assessors and trainers as well as Supervisors and Mentors.

The training developed under this program will align to guidelines of INDMO (National Labour Force Development Institute – the Timor-Leste accreditation body for TVET Training), and will be delivered as Nationally Accredited Certificate III and IV courses. Nabilan is working with CSO’s to develop a set of training competencies for the program and a framework for both Certificate III and IV courses. This framework will be submitted to INDMO for approval.

In Phase I, The Contractorwill first work intensively to refine the identified competencies, develop the curriculum modules, then design and test the program. The Contractor will also assess participants (including through recognition of prior learning). The Contractor

will make any necessary changes to finalise curriculum for accreditation purposes.

Working with key actors

The Contractor will be required to establish a team with people who work in CSOs and people experienced in service delivery and those with TVET (vocational training) and/or adult education expertise. As such, the team will combine field experience in direct service delivery, with vocational training and adult education expertise.

To deliver the accredited training programs, the Contractor will collaborate and coordinate with two Timor-based Registered Training Organisations (RTO’s) and deliver programs under this auspice. The Contractor will lead the process to select RTOs. Approval and resourcing of these organizations will be through The Asia Foundation.

The Contractor will be required to manage a team which will include:

2 members from selected RTOs (1 each)

2 members with extensive experience in community services delivery

1 member from the Nabilan program who will provide oversight, supervision and support

KEY DELIVERABLES OF THE CONSULTANT

The terms of reference is divided into two Phases, recognising that tasks, deliverables and budgeting of Phase II will need to be adjusted based on progress in Phase I.

In Phase I the Contractor will be responsible for the following deliverables between February and July 2016:

Development and approval of a workplan for Phase I including timelines and decision making mechanisms to ensure the project moves forward effeciently and effectively within the structures and program plans of The Nabilan program

Selection and contracting of a team to develop curriculum (based on team composition listed above)

Confirmation of roles and responsibilities and deliverables of team members

Facilitation of this team to accomplish deliverables

Selection of 2 Registered Training Organizations, which may be contracted separately by TAF and documentation of criteria and process used to select these RTOs

Finalization of a contractual agreement and workplan with RTOs

Finalization of competency framework, in the format required by INDMO

Consultation with INDMO and other relevant actors regarding the competency framework, documentation of feedback and revisions to respond to feedback

Presentation of the final competency framework to INDMO, and successful approval of the framework

Development and finalization of curriculum for Level III and Level IV. This will involve seeking relevant existing documents and permissions and development of new materials as needed. All documents should be finalized in Tetum, in the format required by INDMO

Selection and contracting of trainers and training of trainers (as needed). The process to do this will be agreed with The Asia Foundation.

Identification of Supervisors and mechanisms for resourcing them

Contracting of Supervisors as appropriate

Development of assessment processes, tools, and systems to manage assessment data, which are compliant with INDMO regulations and appropriate for the Community Services Sector, particularly focused on work with women and children who experience violence

Testing of up to 4 modules of the course, documentation of the feedback, and revisions as necessary, to be agreed with The Asia Foundation

Scheduling of courses

Finalization of policies regarding regulations and resourcing of students’ participation. This will require reference to financial regulations and requirements of The Asia Foundation.

Weekly status updates to The Nabilan Program

Development of workplan, methodology and budget for Phase II

Contributing to the deliverables will be the following outputs:

Planning, Logistics and Administration

Creation of a course implementation timeline (covering 1 year of implementation activity planned in advance).

Develop a roster of training resource people who may be included in training delivery, in collaboration with Nabilan members

Develop a plan for training implementation developed in collaboration with CSO member groups, their staff and Nabilan members

Develop a training agenda and course structure and amend as necessary

Where appropriate, represent Nabilan in key discussions on curriculum development (with INDMO, with MSS, with RTO’s) and keep Nabilan staff briefed in relation to program implementation.

Ensure implementation of supervision and mentoring plans and processes

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CONTRACTOR

Key responsibilities for both phases will include:

Development of curriculum

Work together in a team with experienced RTO personnel to develop the curriculum and create and prepare curriculum materials for Certificate III and IV programs in line with INDMO processes and accreditation requirements.

Work collaboratively with CSO and MSS to design Certificate III and IV implementation plans that meets the needs of those working full time, studying or with other commitments to current programs (this includes Certificate IV Recognition of Prior Learning for some participants).

Identify and collect existing modules from a variety of CSOs, government and private institutions and adapt these to the accredited training framework and format. These may include international as well as Timorese organizations

Collaborate with selected RTO’s on all aspects of preparation for training delivery.

Training Delivery

Develop suitable training plans and inform all participating organisations and their members of the schedule and any updates

Deliver the training and adapting the program in line with the needs of participants’ backgrounds and experiences to ensure greatest professional development outcomes from the program

Coordinate with experienced community services personnel delivering sections of the training program to maximize benefits of their involvement.

Program Review and Continuous Improvement

Ongoing contribution to monitoring of progress

Conduct program assessments regarding the efficiency of implementation

Conduct program reviews regarding effectiveness of the training program in meeting defined objectives

In collaboration with the CSO’s, conduct a Participatory Organisational Strengths and Needs Assessment annually, to measure changes resulting from training inputs.

Monitoring and Reporting

Provide regular updates to Nabilan, including key successes and challenges with a view to collaboratively problem solve any issues or gaps that arise

Compile monthly reporting to Nabilan Program Management on training activity and achievements.

Compile a training report on each program delivered

Share Database of training participation and outcomes with Nabilan and CSO’s.

Supervision and mentoring

Ensure supervision and oversight of students undertaking the Certificate III and IV through securing of Supervisors and Trainers

Provide professional mentoring in a range of professional competencies including case management; client liaison; human resource management; advocacy; counseling and other relevant areas

Provide regular feedback to Trainers and Supervisors to contribute to improvements and further developments

Provide recommendations to the Team about competencies, skills and knowledge required by students

DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT

The assignment will run from February 2016 to December 2017.

– Phase I will run February – July 2016

– Phase II will run from August 2016 – December 2017.

Continuation of work in Phase II will be contingent on approval of a work plan, methodology and budget at the end of Phase I.

SUPERVISION

The Contractor will be supervised by Kathryn Robertson, the Services Coordinator, Nabilan Program.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The Contractor will have a skill set which combines TVET, community services delivery and relevant advanced university level qualifications. The following qualifications and experience will be required:

Core skills and attributes

Ability to work collaboratively and constructively in a multi-disciplined team Demonstrated ability to manage complicated projects

Demonstrated ability to adapt methods and tools to context

Demonstrated ability to manage information

Demonstrated planning skills

Interest and/or experience in development of processes to critically analyse and monitor work

A commitment to working respectfully and collaboratively with individuals and organisations at a range of levels

Strong oral and written communication skills

Fluency in written and spoken Tetum (essential), English, Portuguese and Bahasa Indonesia (desirable).

Experience in using popular education techniques including facilitation, community engagement and professional development

Experience in developing curriculum and materials

Demonstrated ability to design, develop and implement curriculum

Demonstrated experience in monitoring, evaluation and assessment

Experience in community services

A qualification in a relevant discipline such as Community Services, Community Based Rehabilitation, Community Welfare, Psychology, Education, Adult education; Human Resource Management, Counseling, Social Work (Masters desirable);

Knowledge of community services including child and family welfare issues, violence against women and children (VAW) or social services provision;

Budget

The Contractor will be expected to include in their budget proposal the following items:

Communication costs

Costs for approved domestic travel (at TAF rates) required to implement the work

International travel and related costs (if consultant is based overseas)

Translation Costs

Training materials and general supplies

All personnel costs associated with the deliverables, including any people sub-contracted in order to complete the work.

TAF will cover the following:

All costs related to TAF personnel working with the Contractor, including expenses for any travel required.

Costs for venues and catering for meetings and consultations with external actors

Costs for RTO participation (based on assessment and agreement on funding mechanism)

Space for two people to work at the Nabilan Office in Bemori

Costs for student participation (based on selection process and agreement on funding mechanism)

APPLICATION

Expressions of interest must be submitted containing the following information: